Shelter size is a big deal for backpack hunters. Go too small and waiting out a storm for a few days will drive you crazy, but go too big and you might not find a suitable place to pitch it. Choosing the right sized shelter for your hunt will impact your overall comfort and capability so let’s get it sorted out!

Floorless vs. floored shelters; the new “age old question” that has floored backpack hunters since the beginning of time. Depending on where you live, where you’re hunting, what your willing to sleep with or not sleep with, and what weather is headed your way, you’re going to find yourself considering which type of shelter to haul with you into the backcountry. In recent years, floorless has become a staple in the backcountry for a number of reasons, yet traditional floored shelters still have their place in the backcountry. If you’re caught trying to decide which is right for you, this article is going to help you out.

We’ve all seen those pictures floating around the internet of toes and heels blistered so bad it turns your stomach inside out. Blisters happen to the best of us, but they are preventable and treatable if you know what you’re doing. There’s no perfect solution to blister prevention because each boot, foot, and skin type is different. It’s an exercise in finding the right combination of treatment and prevention to make your life on the mountain enjoyable for your feet.

There are two main types of backpack hunting camps; a base camp where you return to each evening and a mobile (or spike) camp which requires you to pack up each morning and make camp each night. It’s up to you as the hunter to determine which camp is best suited for your situation and to plan your gear accordingly.

You’ve probably prepared your gear, your meals, your weapon of choice, and your body for your upcoming backpack hunt, but are you prepared for the trash you’re going to create while you’re out there? All those meals and snacks come with a wrapper of some sort so have you thought about what you’re going to do once you’re done with them?

We all need water. It’s the one thing that you’ll want after a long climb up a rugged landscape and it’s the one thing that can become scarce if not managed properly. It’s important to not only know where you’re going to get your water during your hunt but also how you’re going to manage it and store it once you have it. It’s not a complicated process, but it’s one worth thinking through so you can make sure you have enough available for the duration of your hunt.

Pants on a backpack hunt are important for a lot of reasons. They’re often the first line of defense against the underbrush and weather. Depending on where you’re hunting, what season you’re in, and how your body performs, having the right pants on a backpack hunt could actually impact your overall comfort in the backcountry. In this article, we’ll line out what to look for in a pant and offer up a few suggestions on which to consider based on proven field use.

If you’re going backpack hunting, you’re going to filter water at some point during your hunt. Considering that water weighs in at around 2 lbs per liter and you not only need water to drink, but water to cook with, it can add up very quickly so while you could carry all the water you need for your trip in one shot, it’s not recommended. Extra water also takes up valuable space in a pack so the more water you can filter in the backcountry, the less you have to carry with you on your back, and the more miles you can put in finding that animal of a lifetime. There are a number of different water filters on the market and a few non-filtering methods that create clean drinking water which we’ll cover in this article.

Choosing the right pack size for your backpack hunt is has a direct impact on your overall comfort, capability, and functionality in the backcountry. Choose a pack that’s too small and you’ll be struggling to find space for what you need for your hunt and forced to strap delicate items to the outside where they’ll risk damage. Choose too large of a pack and you’ll end up overpacking, taking more than you need, and ultimately weighing yourself down without gaining much for it.

Both down and synthetic insulations have come a long way in the last few years. They’ve improved in quality, overall weight, performance, and even affordability. Choosing which is right for you and your situation depends on a number of variables such as weather conditions, expected temperatures, hunting style, and even personal preference. Choose the right insulation type and you’ll find yourself willing to tough out those early mornings behind the glass. Choosing the wrong insulation, however, may result in an inability to effectively stay warm throughout your hunt. Staying warm on your hunt isn’t just a creature's comfort, it could be the difference between staying in the field to punch a tag or going home early.

Bruce McGlenn is the founder of Human Nature Hunting, a hunting school designed to teach the methods and skills required of a hunter while emphasizing community and a connection to the natural world.

Adam Foss is a professional photographer specializing in backcountry mountain hunting and has worked with the biggest names in the industry. Adam joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing, passion for hunting, his profession, and what it all means.

Joey Bennett headed west this past September to meet a personal goal of hunting elk in Colorado. It would be the first time he’d hunt elk, the first time he’d hunt Colorado, the first time he’d ever go backpack hunting, and he did it alone. Joey joins the podcast to talk about his experiences, how he planned for an out-of-state hunt, and what he learned.

Cory Ford joins me to discuss whether or not "weak ankles" are really a thing and how to go about addressing it. Cory has a broad experience in the backcountry across many hobbies and an education in sports science to connect it all together.

What is the reality of hunting culture in modern times? Not what we think it is based on our own assumptions, but what it actually is based on the actions of the majority to take to the field each season. If we find that the majority of hunters knowingly operate outside the bounds of regulations and ethics, what does that mean for the future of hunting?

The Bergara Mountain Rifle 2.0 might just be the perfect rifle for backcountry mountain hunting. It checks all the boxes of durability, construction, performance, and weight savings. If you’re in the market for a lightweight backcountry rifle then you’ll want to take a look at this overview of the Bergara Mountain Rifle 2.0.

Backpack hunters hit the hills each fall making the same mistakes over and over again. Lessons are learned the hard way, but that doesn’t have to be the case for you. Here are 5 common mistakes backpack hunters make when backpacking.

This is NOT a gear episode and it doesn't include tips and tricks for backpacking. Instead, it's an open and honest discussion with Mark Huelsing where we get to explore a number of topics including the idea that being bad at something is actually good.

Out of the blue in 2017 I realized I was sitting on a pile of expensive camouflage clothing that I only used for about a week or two out of the year. The rest of the time it sat in a box and gathered dust so I decided it was time to quit camouflage altogether. I swapped every item out for a solid color and never looked back. This episode of The By Land Podcast details 3 reasons why I decided to get out of the camouflage game.

Tony Smotherman is the head of Influence Relations at Bergara Rifles USA. On this episode of The By Land Podcast, we talk about Bergara as a brand and how they got started, the new Bergara Premier Series Mountain Rifle 2.0, and how Tony found his way into the hunting industry in the first place.